Computer Installation and upgrade

Upgrading is the process of replacing a product with a newer version of the same product. In
computing and consumer electronics an upgrade is generally a replacement of hardware,
software or firmware with a newer or better version, in order to bring the system up to date
or to improve its characteristics/performance. With computer hardware, an upgrade is the
adding of a new hardware in a computer that improves its performance. For example, with a
hardware upgrade, you replace your hard drive with an SSD or upgrade the RAM, providing a
boost in performance and efficiency. When referring to software, a software upgrade is an
upgrade to the software that adds significant or completely new changes to the program. An
example of a software upgrade is upgrading your version of Windows from Microsoft
Windows XP and upgraded to Windows 7, it would be considered a software upgrade.

Users can often download software and firmware upgrades from the Internet. Often the
download is a patch—it does not contain the new version of the software in its entirety, just
the changes that need to be made. Although developers usually produce upgrades in order
to improve a product, there are risks involved—including the possibility that the upgrade will
worsen the product. Upgrades of hardware involve a risk that new hardware will not be
compatible with other pieces of hardware in a system. For example, an upgrade of RAM may
not be compatible with existing RAM in a computer. Other hardware components may not
be compatible after either an upgrade or downgrade, due to the non-availability of
compatible drivers for the hardware with a specific operating system. Conversely, there is
the same risk of non-compatibility when software is upgraded or downgraded for previously
functioning hardware to no longer function.

The best practices for upgrades to improve performance

1. Add a Solid-State Drive
If your laptop or desktop computer is running off a hard drive, then replacing it with
a 2.5- inch SSD will make a big difference.
2. More RAM
If you use a PC to stream video, write documents in Microsoft Word, and edit the
occasional photo, then 8 gigabytes (GB) might be all you need. Gamers will often be
happiest with at least 16 GB, especially when playing modern AAA video games. If
you’re getting into serious video editing as a hobby, 32 GB of RAM might be ideal.
There’s an optimal amount of RAM your system needs to do its job. If you add more RAM
beyond that, you won’t see much improvement, if any.
3. Change your graphics card
If you have the right amount of RAM in your system and your games are running off
an SSD, the next step to improving performance is to upgrade the graphics card.
Before you swap your GPU, ask yourself what resolution your monitor is. If your CPU
is particularly old, you might need a newer one before upgrading your graphics card.
However, you can get surprisingly far with an older CPU combined with a newer
graphics card. Besides, if it’s time to upgrade the CPU, then it’s likely time for a total
system overhaul.
4. Upgrading a CPU
Upgrading your CPU is not difficult, but it’s harder than slotting in some new RAM
modules or changing your graphics card. Before you decide to get a new CPU, check
which models are compatible with your motherboard. The motherboard CPU socket
 must be compatible with the processor you want—the socket is the space where the
CPU fits on a motherboard.
NB. CPU makers (particularly Intel) can have different versions of the same socket
type. A SkyLake-compatible LGA 1151 socket, for example, is not compatible with the
LGA 1151 sockets that Coffee Lake processors use. In general, it’s better to upgrade
your motherboard and CPU at the same time. However, at times, it will make sense
to just upgrade the processor.
5. Add in fans
Keeping your PC cool helps your components last longer, and makes it easier to
overclock your system. Standard air-cooling fans are great, but there’s nothing like a
liquid cooling system when you want to get serious about overclocking—or your PC is
generally too hot all the time. An allin-one (AIO) cooler is a good first step. These are
pre-built devices that circulate liquid from a radiator to a block over your CPU.
Installing an AIO cooler into an existing PC requires you to remove the current
cooling fan and then get rid of any existing thermal compound on the CPU. Next,
install the radiator into your case and place the cooling block over the CPU—thermal
compound is usually pre-applied to the block. Fit a few cables onto your
motherboard or the power supply and you’re good to go. Make sure your case can
hold your AIO cooler.

Basic definitions
POST
This is an abbreviation for Power On Self Test. It is a process performed by firmware or
software routines immediately after a computer or other electronic devices is powered on. It
is also a diagnostic testing sequence that a computer’s basic input/output system (starting
program) runs to determine if the computer keyboard, RAM, disk drives and other hardware
are working correctly.

The first thing that the BIOS does when it boots the PC is to perform what is called the
PowerOn Self-Test, or POST for short. The POST is a built-in diagnostic program that checks
the hardware to ensure that everything is present and functioning properly, before the BIOS
begins the actual boot. It later continues with additional tests such as the memory test and
then it lists any devices that it finds attached to the computer’s internal IDE controller(s).
(that is seen on the screen of the monitor) as the boot process is proceeding.

The POST runs very quickly, and you will normally not even notice that it is happening--
unless it finds a problem. You may have encountered a PC that, when turned on, made
beeping sounds and then stopped without booting up. That is the POST telling you
something is wrong with the machine. The speaker is used because this test happens so
early on, before the video is activated! These beep patterns can be used to diagnose many
hardware problems with the PC. The exact patterns depend on the maker of the BIOS; the
most common are Award and AMI BIOS.

BIOS (Basic Input Output System)

This performs the POST, which initializes and test your computer’s hardware. Then it locates
and runs your boot loader or load your O.S. directly. When your computer is first turned on,
it automatically loads a program called the BIOS, or Basic Input/Output System, which is
stored on a special chip on your computer’s motherboard. The BIOS is essentially a
combination of software and hardware in that it consists of software, but the contents of
that software is stored in a hardware chip

Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting is a systematic process used to locate the cause of a fault in a computer
system and correct the relevant hardware and software issues. It is also define as a process
of identifying, planning and resolving a problem, errors, or faults within a software or
computer system.

Maintenance
This has to do with both the hardware and the software which involves testing and cleaning
of equipment, and updating of application programs in order to make changing information
requirement such as adding new functions and changing data formats. It is also the
replacement of faulty unit with similar, or any other activity (cleaning, dust extraction) that
restores, or keeps the machine at its previous level of performance.

Backup
This is the process of copying into an archive, files of computer data that is already in
secondary storage so that it may be used to restore the original file after a data loss events.

Configuration
This is the arrangement of each of the computer’ system units according to to their nature,
number and chief characteristics which pertain to the choice of hardware, software,
firmware and documentation. It is the choice made in setting up a computer system or an
application program so that it meets the user’s guide.

Firmware
This refers to computer code that is somewhere between hardware and software. It is a type
of computer program that provide the low level control for the device specific hardware.

Computer installation
Installation refers to the particular configuration of a software or hardware with a view to
making it usable with the computer. A soft or digital copy of the piece of software (program)
is needed to install it. There are different processes of installing a piece of software
(program). Because the process varies for each program and each computer, programs
(including operating systems) often come with an installer, a specialized program responsible
for doing whatever is needed for the installation. Installation may be part of a larger
software deployment process. Some computer programs can be executed by simply copying
them into a folder stored on a computer and executing them. Other programs are supplied
in a form unsuitable for immediate execution and therefore need an installation procedure.
Once installed, the program can be executed again and again, without the need to reinstall
before each execution. Common operations performed during software installations include:
 Making sure that necessary system requirements are met
 Checking for existing versions of the software
 Creating or updating program files and folders
  Adding configuration data such as configuration files, Windows registry entries or
environment variables
 Making the software accessible to the user, for instance by creating links, shortcuts
or bookmarks
 Configuring components that run automatically, such as daemons or Windows
services
 Performing product activation
 Updating the software versions

Types of Installation
1. Attended installation
On Windows systems, this is the most common form of installation. An installation
process usually needs a user who attends it to make choices, such as accepting or
declining an end-user license agreement (EULA), specifying preferences such as the
installation location, supplying passwords or assisting in product activation. In
graphical environments, installers that offer a wizard-based interface are common.
Attended installers may ask users to help mitigate the errors. For instance, if the disk
in which the computer program is being installed was full, the installer may ask the
user to specify another target path or clear enough space in the disk. A common
misconception is unarchivation, which is not considered an installation action
because it does not include user choices, such as accepting or declining EULA.
2. Silent installation: Installation that does not display messages or windows during its
progress. "Silent installation" is not the same as "unattended installation". All silent
installations are unattended but not all unattended installations are silent. The
reason behind a silent installation may be convenience or subterfuge. Malware is
almost always installed silently.
3. Unattended installation: Installation that is performed without user interaction
during its progress or with no user present at all. One of the reasons to use this
approach is to automate the installation of a large number of systems. An
unattended installation either does not require the user to supply anything or has
received all necessary input prior to the start of installation. Such input may be in the
form of command line switches or an answer file, a file that contains all the
necessary parameters. Windows XP and most Linux distributions are examples of
operating systems that can be installed with an answer file. In unattended
installation, it is assumed that there is no user to help mitigate errors. For instance, if
the installation medium was faulty, the installer should fail the installation, as there is
no user to fix the fault or replace the medium. Unattended installers may record
errors in a computer log for later review.
4. Headless installation: Installation performed without using a computer monitor
connected. In attended forms of headless installation, another machine connects to
the target machine (for instance, via a local area network) and takes over the display
output. Since a headless installation does not need a user at the location of the
target computer, unattended headless installers may be used to install a program on
multiple machines at the same time.
5. Scheduled or automated installation: An installation process that runs on a preset
time or when a predefined condition transpires, as opposed to an installation process
that starts explicitly on a user's command. For instance, a system administrator
 willing to install a later version of a computer program that is being used can
schedule that installation to occur when that program is not running. An operating
system may automatically install a device driver for a device that the user connects.
(See plug and play.) Malware may also be installed automatically. For example, the
infamous Conficker was installed when the user plugged an infected device to their
computer.
6. Clean installation A clean installation is one that is done in the absence of any interfering
elements such as old versions of the computer program being installed or leftovers from a
previous installation. In particular, the clean installation of an operating system is an
installation in which the target disk partition is erased before installation. Since the
interfering elements are absent, a clean installation may succeed where an unclean
installation may fail or may take significantly longer.
7. Network installation Not to be confused with network booting Network installation,
shortened net-install, is an installation of a program from a shared network resource that
may be done by installing a minimal system before proceeding to download further packages
over the network. This may simply be a copy of the original media but software publishers
which offer site licenses for institutional customers may provide a version intended for
installation over a network.
1. Differentiate between troubleshooting and maintenance
2. State five reasons why we need to upgrade a system
3. List five reasons why a system freezes

Computer Maintenance
Computer maintenance is the keeping of a computer in a good state of repair and physical
health i.e., it is set of maintenance tasks and procedures that help to keep the computer
software and hardware updated and operational.

Computer Maintenance Plan:

Computer Maintenance Plan is a list of predefined procedures and tasks needed to keep a
computer in good condition. There are thorough maintenance checks needed on a computer
to avoid unnecessary interruptions and failure. Your computer is a key component of your
digital communication and network, its hardware and software must be custom tailored to
your office computing needs. Your computer network must also be properly maintained to
function properly and avoid system interruptions or loss of computer data.

Maintenance Tasks and Procedures Computer maintenance tasks include reviewing the computer’s
performance, ensuring that automated system monitoring utilities are properly installed and
configured, identifying potential security risks and backing up data at regular intervals. The
maintenance procedure is part of a wider policy which defines what, how, and when the required
changes can occur. The procedure also defines step by step low-level actions.

Maintenance Plan
A solid computer maintenance plan generally requires several steps, including:
 Checking computer log files
 Assessing hard disk space
 Examining computer folder permissions
 Monitoring computer temperature
 Ensuring adequate redundancy of computer systems
 Examining security features
 Examining computer cleaning
  Installing security software patches, Reading computer logs for security alerts or evidence of
computer hacking attempts
 Updating antivirus software on all computers on the network
 Updating critical service packs and software updates
 Performing regular comprehensive back-ups to ensure that vital data can be retrieved from
storage in the event of a system failure.

Types of Maintenance
 Preventive Maintenance: This type is used to prevent possible failures. It helps to improve
the functioning of a system and lengthen the life of various components on the computer.
The benefit of this type of maintenance are that it allows noticing weak points in the system
and lead to lesser number of repairs.
 Corrective Maintenance: There is a need to find out what caused the problem and then fix it.
This has to do with repairs, changing of faulty parts etc.
 Predictive Maintenance: In this type, the PC user turns to diagnostic tools to prevent possible
problems with the computer. The diagnostic tools monitor computer system and check
whether the functioning is normal. For example, such tools control and inform you about the
temperature of the CPU, battery levels and many other features.
1. State four maintenance tools and explain theirs functions
2. Draw any five of the tools mentioned above
3. Explain the effect of electrostatic discharge (ESD) and how can it be avoided